The western meadowlark is a fine singer. Females and males appear the same. Their plumage is basically the same year-round, but brighter during the spring breeding season.

This one [at right] is probably a male, because of its prominence on a fence post in full song. The song is rich, complex and loud, starting with clear short whistles, moving into a series of descending warbles and…(please see below to view full stories and photographs)

Photo captions:

Above: (Left) Stan McCuen and (right) Mel Weinstein snapped these poppy carpets off California Route 138, near the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve (which is closed due to covid-19). You can see lots of photos and videos on their Facebook page, www.facebook.com/PoppyReserve. Below, left and right: The Carrizo Plain shimmers with yellow desert dandelions.

Below: A budding Bolton photographer kneels carefully between blooms to get that perfect shot. Even with social distancing, you too can enjoy springtime!

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This is part of the May 1, 2020 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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